A warning is being sounded that KiwiSaver funds might be about to take a pummelling.

VIDEO: Tristram Clayton talks with business reporter Christopher Adams about a potential financial crash for New Zealand

HSBC has released a report linking the Dow Jones trading patterns in 2016, to the patterns seen in 1987 just before the market crashed.

Many KiwiSaver funds invest in shares.

Labour's finance spokesperson Grant Robertson said KiwiSaver funds are designed to give a return over the long run, but savers can always make changes if they're worried.

"If you're a person of a nervous disposition, it pays to make sure that you're in a balanced portfolio where the peaks and troughs of the sharemarket will have less impact on you."

Mr Robertson said one of the good features about KiwiSaver, is that anyone finding this news worrying, can switch to a more conservative fund.

"That perhaps don't have the huge return, but have some security and guarantees, and so the most important thing about this scheme is that there's a range of quality providers."

Green Party co-leader James Shaw said anyone who's worried should talk to their financial advisor.

"The thing about KiwiSaver of course if that people's money is invested depending on the risk weighting, whether it's conservative or a higher-risk fund."